7 Days Sahara Desert Wonders Trek from Marrakech to M'Hamid

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Marrakech - M'Hamid
1 stop
1
Marrakech
Your driver will collect you at 8am from your Riad/Hotel in Marrakech. Enjoy a stunning journey through the beautiful Atlas Mountains, with its panoramic views of valleys, and Berber villages. Cross the Kasbah region and visit the spectacular Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. Break for lunch in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s Hollywood, and film hub. Mid-afternoon we arrive at the village of Agdz, nestled in the magnificent date palm groves of the Draa Valley, then on to Zagora and Tamgroute, with its ancient Koranic library and famous pottery. The final leg of our journey is to M’Hamid El Ghizlane, gateway to the Sahara, where the road ends, to arrive at our eco-lodge for a welcome tea and dinner.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
M'Hamid - Sidi Naji
1 stop
2
M'Hamid
After breakfast, join your camel caravan and guides to set off along the banks of the Draa River, trekking past the magnificent palm groves of M’Hamid El Ghizlane and its first settlement, the ancient 6th century Jewish Kasbah. Admire the architecture before continuing onwards to Ras N’Khal, the end of the Palm Grove for lunch in the shade. After lunch, say good-bye to the dunes and palm trees to cross dried-earth and stone desert on the road to Sidi Naji, the resting place of the ancient traveller, tribal leader and holy man. Camp is set up beside the village ruins. Trek time: 5-6 hrs.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Sidi Naji - Ait Ounir
1 stop
3
M'Hamid
After breakfast, decamp and trek over stoney terrain, scattered with tamaris and eucalyptus trees and set against the backdrop of the desert mountains, to reach the dunes of Ait Ounir. Look out for the gazelles who gather here to eat the local foliage. On route we pass the ancient well, Azalay, which was used for centuries by nomads and travellers on the caravan route to Timbuktu. This is where we set up camp. Trek time: 4hrs
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Ait Ounir - Ezzahar
1 stop
4
M'Hamid
After breakfast, decamp and trek towards the large, remote sand dunes of Zahar, crossing flat plateaux, a dried lake and dry desert before reaching the rolling sand dunes. Trek by an abandoned souk, once the thriving meeting place for nomads with traces of pottery and other utensils from the time. Enjoy lunch in the dunes before exploring and taking in the magnificent views of the Draa Valley and desert sunset. The dunes of Zahar are also known as the “humming dunes”, because of the sound of the sand when crossing. These beautiful, expansive rolling dunes are the Sahara as you imagine it. Camp is set up in the dunes. Trek time: 4hrs
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Ezzahar - Ezmila
1 stop
5
M'Hamid
After breakfast, decamp and leave behind the rolling sand dunes to head east to Zmila. We cross mountains and stone desert to follow a scenic trail that takes us to where the Draa Valley ends. The area is remote and barely frequented. The land is fertile for nomadic shepherds, which we will cross as they tend their flocks. We set up camp in the dunes. Trek time: 4-5hrs.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Ezmila - Lanhiche
1 stop
6
M'Hamid
After breakfast, decamp and leave behind the gentle dunes of Zmila for the white dunes of Lanhiche. We make our trek through varied landscapes as we leave behind the vastness of the Sahara towards the welcoming oasis. We set up camp in the dunes, to spend our last evening nomad style under the stars.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
M'Hamid - Marrakech
1 stop
7
M'Hamid
We take in a final desert sunrise and breakfast in the dunes, before reaching M’Hamid late morning ready for your onward departure, retracing your journey to Marrakech. Stop for photos, or a spot of souvenir shopping and take in the spectacular views once more before arriving early evening in Marrakech. Transfers are included from Marrakech to M’Hamid. For guests requiring transport options from other cities, please ask. (Supplement may apply depending on distances).
12 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers

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